If the LA Chargers are going to enjoy a quick turnaround in Jim Harbaugh's first season with the team then several players are going to have to outpace their projections. As great of a coach as Harbaugh is, there are still some talent gaps that exist on the roster.
The difference between making the playoffs and falling short very well could be whether or not the Chargers get breakout seasons out of certain players. Thankfully, there are several candidates on the roster who are ready to do just that.
Mixed with a head coach who historically gets the most out of players, Chargers fans should be excited about three players in particular who are going to take the NFL world by storm in 2024.
Overlooked Chargers who will take the NFL by storm:
1. Safety Alohi Gilman
Alohi Gilman finally got a full-time starting role in 2023 and he was one of the most consistent players on defense for the Chargers. Gilman was fighting an uphill battle with not much secondary help outside of Derwin James and a bad defensive scheme that hurt the team.
While the help has not increased much in 2024, the Chargers have a new defensive coordinator in Jesse Minter. Minter is not a lock to be a success at the NFL level but if he can take what he did at Michigan then the Chargers will see big improvements.
Gilman has the talent to take the leap and now he has the right situation. If all goes as planned, Gilman and James will be considered one of the best safety duos in the league after the season ends.
2. Joshua Palmer
On paper, the LA Chargers have one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the sport. Joshua Palmer having a breakout season doesn't necessarily change that, as the Bolts still do not have a true WR1. However, Palmer breaking out can at least soften the blow and give the Chargers a WR by committee that produces with Justin Herbert.
Palmer and rookie Ladd McConkey will share the bulk of the yardage in the passing offense this season. The fourth-year receiver out of Tennessee is a good bet to have the most receiving yards as he a built-in rapport with Herbert that should take him a long way.
Palmer is not going to make the highlight reel catches that a superstar receiver makes and he won't have the high-production upside Keenan Allen had. But he is still in a great position to produce far more than expected, taking the NFL world by storm as a result.
3. Tuli Tuipulotu
Chargers fans know how special Tuli Tuipulotu is so he won't be taking the fanbase by storm. He will, however, take the NFL world by storm as his sophomore season has all the makings of being a very special one.
Tuipulotu was one of the most overlooked defensive rookies in the league last season as he far outperformed expectations needing to fill in for Joey Bosa. Now, Tuipulotu has Bosa, Khalil Mack and recently-signed Bud Dupree to lighten his load.
Tuipulotu is going to directly benefit from the talent around him. Not only will Tuipulotu get favorable matchups, but he will also get the benefit of coaches gameplanning against the Chargers other pass rushers, not him.
Expect Tuipulotu to play more interior defensive line this season in pass-rush downs and for many unexpecting guards to get beaten by the second-year former Trojan.